The good news is that lots of Americans won world championships today in Mexico. Fran Chandler won her first singles world title, beating top seed and defending champion Klaartje Van Baarle, in a rematch of their first round meeting last year to take the title in the 45s. Their roads to the final were contrasting: Klaartje cruising and Fran playing back to back 3-setters, but in the final, that experience was valuable for Fran who, according to Mariana Hollman, made no errors (not that she ever makes many!) and outlasted Klaartje 61 in the third. Congratulations Fran!

Julie Cass not only won her first world singles title, cruising past Isabelle Tyrell of Great Britain in straight sets in the 40s, but added the doubles title as well, combining with Vesna McKenna of Florida to beat fellow Americans, Michelle King and Erika Smith 62 61.

Mariana Hollman and Mary Beth Williams of the USA won the 35 doubles, played at 8:30 this morning (Mariana didn’t believe us yesterday when we told her that the final was scheduled for 8:30am today), beating two players from Luxemborg 64 64.

Chandler and Mary Dailey from Florida played the 45 doubles final and fell to Olga Shaposhnikova and Lesley O’Halloran in straight sets.

Morgan Shepherd, NorCal lost a tight 3-setter in the singles semis of the 40s to his doubles partner, Christopher Bloemeke (Germany) and they combined to reach the doubles final, falling there to Paul Kleverlaan and Chris O’Mara of Australia (those Aussies always seem to play good doubles). Mario Tabares from the USA is in the men’s 40 final, winning his semi in straight sets, as he has all of his matches this week.

On the clay at the Potosino Club, Diane Fishburne blasted her way past Betty Michel of France, giving up only 1 game. She faces top seed and defending champion Patricia Medrado in a rematch of the 2009 final.

Tina Karwasky, SoCal, has found her game on the clay and in the high altitude, though she did take one tumble today (her next sponsor might be Bandaid), but she played very well in beating Sherri Bronson 63 61. I lost a tough, 4 hour match to Frances Candy of Gr. Britain 76 in the third. The match started as a clay match and ended as a fast hard court match and Frances was more aggressive, and hit a lot of excellent volleys and forehands. It was her 3rd 3-setter of the week, and she played 3 3-setters last week…she’ll either be nicely warmed up tomorrow or exhausted. I’m really disappointed that I lost, I’ve never been to the final of a world championship and this was the best chance I’ve ever had…the last 6 times I reached a semifinal I was blasted off the court, winning only 1 or 2 games…but Frances was the better player today.

Tina and Mary Ginnard from Florida beat Candy and Pauline Fisher 63 60 to reach the doubles final. My partner from Australia, Lyn Mortimer and I played well to beat Ann Stanley/Bronson 62 60. We were lucky to finish the doubles…it was sprinkling and thundering throughout most of the match and raining pretty hard in the last game. The doubles final is scheduled for 1pm tomorrow…though the exact time will depend on how long the singles match goes.

Waldman and Egan Adams, Florida, were in the midst of the doubles semis tonight when it rained and play was cancelled. They are up a set and 43 against the So Africans in the 50 doubles. The face Mike Tammen/Ross Persons, USA in the final of the 50s. Robinson/Tom Smith are in the semis and down a set but up 53 and serving in the 2nd set.